The Gist

Peter McIndoe is the founder of the Birds Aren't Real movement-slash-conspiracy theory. He is also the author of the book, Birds Aren't Real: The True Story of Mass Avian Murder and the Largest Surveillance Campaign in U.S. History. Peter doesn't believe any of that, by the way, but has good insights on the type of people who do. Plus, Biden will probably win the debate. And how public access to subway brakes, the inability to license a pot store, and a 30-year-old San Fransisco "shanty town" clearance offer lessons in can-do (and can't-do) governance. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist Subscribe to The Gist Subscribe: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ Follow Mikes Substack at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A discussion on the ethical concerns surrounding Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, including controversies around donations and behaviors. The podcast explores the media scrutiny faced by the Justices and the impact on the Court's reputation, raising questions about legitimacy and ethics.

Yusuf Dahl, Real Estate Lab founder, shares his journey from dealing drugs to advocating against housing discrimination post-incarceration. They tackle the disappearance of guitar solos in music and discuss the impact of the Thurmond Amendment on fair housing protections for ex-convicts.

Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Amos C. Fox discusses siege warfare, the Battle of Mosul, and the complexities of conflicts in Gaza. The podcast delves into the ethics of sieges, international pressure, and the impact of ideological motivations on military success.

Dallas sports talk hosts discuss their transition from radio to podcasting due to non-compete clauses, sparking industry debate. They also talk about Joey Chestnut's ban from Nathan's, New York's congestion pricing failure, Luca Donic discussions, and political leadership strategies.

Author Eric Weiner discusses his latest book about Ben Franklin's formula for a fulfilling life. The podcast also covers a political operative recording conversations with Justice Alito, contrasting political figures, and the complexities of Benjamin Franklin's legacy. The host explores historical nuances, societal clashes, and media scrutiny with entertaining comparisons and insightful analyses.

The podcast discusses topics such as potential VP picks, Israel's hostage rescue, and an interview with Lawrence Wood about caption contests. They delve into the art and science of crafting captions for cartoon contests, explore challenges in reporting casualties in conflicts, and touch on ethical dilemmas in hostage rescue operations.

Ron Rosenbaum, author of Explaining Hitler, discusses Hitler's origins of evil and the complexity of his actions in World War II. The podcast also explores the significance of D-Day, the symbolism of intifada, and the controversies surrounding Hitler's legacy and historical perspectives.

Ted Kaye, Secretary of the North American Vexillogical Association, discusses flags, sedition, and reclamation. The podcast also highlights the war in Sudan, American society's epitaph, and summer guacamole recipes. Topics include flag symbolism, conflicts in Sudan and Gaza, and reflections on historical atrocities.

Michael A Cohen discusses rape denialism in his story for The Atlantic, highlighting the challenges faced by the left in acknowledging sexual assault. The podcast delves into comparisons of legal cases, persistent denialism of rape in mainstream discourse, and the spread of misinformation and conspiracies surrounding rape denialism. It also scrutinizes reporting biases in journalism and examines instances of rape denialism in Israel.